Our History

1983

Intensive Care Nurse, Mr. Russell Lee visits his missionary parents in Tonga, returning to Australia determined to find a way for Tongans to access cardiac surgery.

1985

With limited availability to bring patients to Australia, "Operation Open Heart to Tonga" is officially established with the aim of taking a team to provide surgery in Tonga. It is a coordinated effort between Sydney Adventist Hospital staff (as volunteers), Hospital administration, and the Adventist Development & Relief Agency (ADRA).

1986

45 volunteers form Operation Open Heart's first ever surgical team and travel to Tonga. 15 lives are changed in Tonga.

Under the leadership of Dr. Charles Sharpe a cleft lip and palate surgery team commences in Nepal. The Cardiac program is again expanded with the first visit to Papua New Guinea. HealthCare Outreach begins to be used as the umbrella name for all activities conducted.

1997

A cardiac team visits Mongolia and Solomon Islands for the first time.

2000

Dr. Alan Gale and Mrs. Annette Baldwin receive the Order of Fiji.

A cardiac educational project is established in Vietnam.

2003

Cardiac project work begins in Myanmar.

2004

The Nepal cleft lip and palate program concludes. The needs of the local community continue to be met by trained Nepalese surgeons and other international visiting teams.

2005

An orthopaedic project in Cambodia is established under the leadership of Dr. Graham Gumley specifically focused on hand and upper limb surgery.

2006

Operation Open Heart lands on the African continent for the first time with a visit to Rwanda.

In response to emerging needs, the Nepal burns surgery program commences to replace the cleft lip and palate project.

2007

Cambodia hosts its first cardiac visit.

2008

In PNG, 5 volunteers receive the Member of the Order of Longhu, and 2 the Cross of Medical Service Medal.

2009

The first full-time staff member and manager is appointed.

2010

100th coordinated visit is celebrated during the cardiac visit to Fiji.

We celebrate the 3000th patient treated during a cardiac visit to PNG.

Special Recognition Award is received at Australian Private Hospital Awards for “Excellence in Service Provision to International Communities”

2011

The 25th anniversary is celebrated with “Art from The Heart”, a collection of favourite photographs and images. A permanent display now resides in the entry of Sydney Adventist Hospital.

The first Primary Health project commences in Cambodia.

2012

The Women's Health Nepal project is officially established following two years as part of the Burns Surgery project. The separation of the teams gives both the opportunity to grow.

2013

The first Eye Surgery project is launched, with over 130 patients receiving surgery in the Philippines.

Open Heart International is launched as a new identity to better reflect the work of the entire program. The name draws its meaning not only from the origins of the program, but from the openness and giving of the volunteers.

2014

The Rwanda project expands to include Tanzania and the project is renamed East Africa.

2015

The 150th project visit since inception occurs, with a visit to the Philippines.

2016

Dr Ian Nicholson (AM) is selected as NSW finalist in the Australian of the Year Awards.

Open Heart International joins forces with ADRA Australia to leverage opportunites for growth, enhance our impact, and improve efficiency.